Customer leaves $2,000 tip on $93 meal at restaurant

A customer left a $2,000 tip for staff at Washington-area restaurant Blue 44. (WJLA)

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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

It seemed to be just another Monday when staff at Washington-area restaurant Blue 44 were serving a regular customer and his friend. But restaurant employees were shocked when that customer left a $2,000 tip to be shared among the staff.

The restaurant customer, who wishes to remain anonymous, and his friend had ordered fried chicken, gumbo and beer on their $93 check. Staff says the customer had left big tips in the past, but none quite as large as the $2,000 tip he left on Monday.

"I was like, 'Is this real?'" Head Chef James Turner told WJLA. "I really can't get over it."

The anonymous tipper also noted that he wanted was split among staff, with Turner receiving $1,000, and owner Christofer Nardelli and bartender Laura Dally each receiving $500.

"I've never experienced anything like this," Nardelli said. "You see large tips here and there, $100, $200, $300 tips, but never $2,000."

Dally says she plans on using the tip money to pay for her college expenses.

"That tip can pay for one of my classes this summer, which is really a relief," Dally told WJLA.

"To have an individual take the time to thank me for something that I put time and effort into is so appreciated," Turner said.